APPLICATION OF AN INTEGRATED RE/RP/CAD/CAM SYSTEM FOR 3D PRINTING PROCESS MATERIALSamp;NBSP;OF ROBOT ARM

摘要

ABSTRACT 3D materials and alloys are becoming more and more popular because of their high specific strength, light specific weight, recyclability, and ability to shield electromagnetic shocks. This work introduces an integrated RE/RP/CAD/CAE/CAM system for constructing suitable 3D printing materials for the robot and developing related robot arm structure using Concurrent Engineering. This integrated system uses an optical scanning system, a rapid prototyping machine, CAD/CAE/CAM software, a sheet metal forming simulation software, CAM software, and a die design knowledge-based system as the operating platform. The die design knowledge-based system includes die design procedures, die design standards, design criteria, and empirical formulae. Our system has been used successfully in constructing a light weight material for the robot arm structure and developing related progressive die. Since the entire development process shares the same 3D geometric model, the various process of developing dies can be performed in parallel. Our system can greatly reduce the development time and cost, improve the product quality, and push products into the market in a relatively short time. The present work concerns the hardware development of a table top-size robot, focusing on the use of an integrated application of RE/RP/CAD/CAE/CAM for the rapid development of the robots outer body pans. Most parts were three- dimensionally designed with 3D CAD, which enables effective connection with CAE analyses, the basis of which lays in kinematic simulation and structural analysis. To reduce the lead time and investment cost of developing parts, RP and CAJVI are selectively used to manufacture master parts for the body. These master parts are then replicated by using a CNC/vacuum casting process, from which we can repeatedly obtain plastic parts. Through this integrated approach, we successfully developed a prototype of Scorbot with a relatively low time and investment cost.